Page 22 of The Last Date

“Absolutely. I wondered if you’d be interested in being my date to my cousin’s wedding. You know how boring family events can be if you’re one of the only single people there. But I’ve heard the food is going to be great, and we could just stay for dinner and drinks, then I could take you home.”

Strangely, I did like weddings. They were always so joyful and high energy. Staring at the painting leaning against the wall to my right, I figured an entertaining night out might help clear my head. “So this would just be as friends, and I would be your phony date?” I asked.

“If that’s the title you prefer, sure,” he laughed. “So, you’re in?”

Since my mother had approved of him before, she couldn’t raise a fuss about this. She loved anything and everything related to a wedding. “I guess so. We had fun last time.”

“Exactly,” he said. “Hell, maybe you could even coach me on how to be a better date when I find someone who’s right for me.”

I giggled at the thought of me being a dating coach to anybody. “Okay, it’s a deal.”

“I’ll pick you up at six on Saturday,” he said. “It’s a short ceremony right at the hall, and it’s not too formal.”

“All right. I’ll call you the day before if I have any fancy dress questions.”

“Anything you can pull from your closet is great,” Jason said. “I really appreciate it, Sasha.”

“No problem. Talk to you soon.”

I disconnected the call, set down my phone, then looked up and nearly jumped out of my skin. Oakley was standing right in front of me, having snuck in silently in his red hightops.

His expression was hidden as the light from the window was behind his head, keeping his face shadowed. As he came around to my side of the desk, his face came into the light. H is scowl was unnerving.

“I hope that was Sarah,” he said, in a slow, deliberate tone that suggested he was extremely upset. “I couldn’t imagine who else you would be making a date with, that you’d get dressed up for.”

I held up my hands, smiling. “It’s not like that,” I said. “An acquaintance needs a date for his cousin’s wedding. It’s not real.”

Oakley approached me slowly, holding out his hand. I took it, standing up, as he cupped my chin, holding my face still.

“If you went to a wedding with another man, you’d be laughing and dancing with him. You’d be in photos together. Fake or not, I don’t like it.”

My heart tightened as guilt washed over me. Oakley was horrified.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think...” I started, but he came over to kneel in front of my chair, clasping my hands.

“You’re mine, Sasha. I need you to understand how much I need you. And I don’t mean to be a chauvinist pig or anything, but I can’t have you gallivanting around with other men.” He spoke softly, caressing my palms with his thumbs.

My chin tipped up and down automatically as I squeezed his hands.

“I want this relationship to be real,” I said slowly. “I do. But it’s hard to trust it when you won’t let me know you. If you want me, let me really be with you. Please.”

Oakley stood up, and for one chilling second, I thought he was going to walk out. Pulling my hands, he stood me up, holding my body against his, creating as much contact as possible.

Standing still with our arms wrapped around each other, our hearts nearly pressed together, he felt more real than anyone I’d ever known. Even though I knew he might disappear at any second.

CHAPTER TEN

* Oakley *

I’d gone too far. I wanted to keep Sasha at arm’s length for a while so that she could fall for me without knowing my weird and catastrophic past, but it seemed that it was starting to push her away.

“May I drive you home?” I asked.

“Sure.” She looked up at me with that precious grin that begged to be smothered with my lips. “That would mean I get to see your car. At least that’s something about you.”

Sliding my hand down her back, I grabbed her ass roughly, making her squeal. “You’re a sassy little thing,” I said. “Far too saucy to be with other men.”

Reluctantly, I let her go. “Give me this fake date guy’s number and I’ll take care of it.”

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